Shells and Goat Cheese

This mac and cheese is really yummy and really mild. I liked it because it was different. The goat cheese flavor was prominent and the pasta was really creamy. My favorite pieces of pasta were the crispy ones from the sides of the pan. Mmm...

Ingredients:
1 box pasta shells (or macaroni)
Olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 green onions, diced (I didn't have this)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon, plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
2 cups reduced fat milk
2 tbsp sour cream
1/2 cup goat cheese
1/4 c plain bread crumbs
Salt and pepper to taste
4 pieces crumbled bacon (optional)

To make it bad for you, add crumbled bacon!

Let’s Cook:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, green onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Set green onions aside.

2. Cook pasta shells according to directions on package, then drain and set aside.

3. For the sauce, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour while stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Then slowly add in milk until combined well. Reduce heat to medium low and let the mixture simmer until it thickens, stirring occasionally (about 4 to 5 minutes). If the mixture isn’t quite thick enough, sprinkle in some more flour and mix until the sauce reaches a consistency that you like.

4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the sour cream, goat cheese, salt and pepper to taste and green onions. Stir until cheese melts, then stir in pasta shells.

5. Transfer to pan and top with bread crumbs. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. Top with bacon if desired. EAT!!!